Science and laughs combine in this out-of-this-world adventure!
You might think that this story is going to be an intergalactic adventure filled with UFOs, black holes, killer robots and some very foul-smelling aliens.
And you'd be right.
But it's mostly about a boy called Jake, his embarrassing dad, and the mind-boggling question ... are we really alone in the universe?
Het vorige boek van Christopher Edge dat in het Nederlands verscheen, toen werkte ik met Evelyn. Die riep uit da het boek mijn naam schreeuwde, en ze had gelijk, ik vond Stein Knap en het mysterie van de parallelle universums enorm goed. Ik vind het jammer dat er niet meer van deze auteur vertaald leek te worden. Je kunt je wel voorstellen hoe enthousiast ik werd toen ik deze aangekondigd zag staan!
En het was inderdaad heerlijk en geweldig! Een fantastisch plot, hilarische elementen en een hartverwarmend sfeertje. Wat heb ik gisteravond van dit boek genoten! Ik heb het in 1 ruk uitgelezen, en ik weet nu al dat ik deze wel eens ga herlezen, als ik behoefte heb aan een goed, fijn én grappig boek. Bijzonder toch, dat dat allemaal in één boek kan zitten? En dan gaat het nog over aliens ook.
(En ja, ik wil conservatiever zijn met ratings geven dit jaar. Maar dat wil ik zodat mijn 5* er dan beter uitspringen, zoals deze)
Middle grade sci fi inspired by David Bowie. Now that is how to get me interested. Loved how fun and quirky this was just wish it was a little bit longer and a little less rushed.
Jesse heeft een probleem. Hij heeft een hele vreemde vader. Tijdens het toneelstuk op school neemt zijn vader een rol over en dat is de laatste druppel voor Jesse. Hij wil niet meer met zijn vader praten. Zijn moeder probeert het een beetje goed te praten, maar uiteindelijk gaat Jesse met zijn vader op kampeerweekend. Ze gaan naar een speciaal weekend waar vaders met kinderen komen.
Wanneer zijn vader weer heel vreemd doet, biecht zijn vader het grote geheim op: hij is een alien. Jesse snapt er niks van en gelooft zijn vader niet. Wanneer Jesse per ongeluk op een verkeerde knop drukt, komen er andere aliens zijn vader ontvoeren… Nu zit Jesse met een probleem… Samen met zijn vrienden probeert hij een plan te bedenken.
Ruimtegekte is een verhaal waarin vriendschap en vertrouwen een grote rol spelen. Maar ook maak je kennis met ruimtewezens in allerlei vormen. Christopher Edge beschrijft het allemaal heel beeldend en grappig! Er zijn woordgrappen en grappige gebeurtenissen. Ik heb dit verhaal met veel plezier gelezen. Alle kinderen die geïnteresseerd zijn in de ruimte zullen dit een leuk verhaal vinden. Het is zelf te lezen vanaf 9 jaar en ouder.
Ik heb mijn boekpresentatie voor de klas over dit boek gedaan en de kinderen waren bijna allemaal enthousiast genoeg om het verhaal ook zelf te gaan lezen. Dus ik neem het boek mee naar de klas!
What a fun story!!!! I love the song ‘Space Oddity’ by David Bowie and this book incorporates it into the story seamlessly! Even had a listen to the song as I was reading the book! I liked the pop culture references too as they weren’t just dropped into the book but actually used in the plot!! Very quick and fun to read, I had a blast! Haha x
4.5 This Sci-Fi middle grade that is inspired by David Bowie, I saw this at the library and got it because I have read another by the same author and wanted to try it. And it has david bowie references, Doctor Who references and star wars references. I love it so much!!! The way this shows an embarrassment of a dad but the kid ends up loving him anyways and realising how good of a dad he really is!!!, and this kid realises who he really is and embraces it
A book for primary school children about a boy who finds out his dad is really an alien. Got this from the e-library, but would probably have passed it by on paper. It will be enjoyable enough by the intended audience, but doesn't work well for older readers. Three stars is based on what I think children would feel about this ("I liked it") rather than what I think myself ("it was OK").
Sweet, funny and endearing - Christopher Edge has continued his sci-fi themed stories, but this time for a slightly younger audience. There is a lot of build up and then the ending is quite hurried, but on reflection this story isn’t so much about space and aliens as it is about learning to love the family you are in.
Yes the book is called Space Oddity and yes it is referring to the David Bowie song – a pretty cool concept for a book even if most children have never heard of the beloved Starman. The book was chock a block of those in the know jokes, ‘Jake I am your father’, but even if you have a child who has never watched Doctor Who or Star Wars they will still enjoy the ride. And Bowie is only a Spotify click away.
Edge fitted lots of humour into the book, the line ‘You’re can’t be an alien – you’re from Wales’ still makes me chuckle. There was also a lot of science thrown in, in the most un-boring way possible. It took me a couple of days to read and with short chapters and fab illustrations (thanks to Ben Mantle) even your younger middle graders will find it manageable.
Yes it has aliens, space ships and killer robots but it’s also laced with friendship, family bonds and accepting who you are. Makes a refreshing change from magical orphans and talking unicorns.
My thanks go to Chicken House for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. It’s out in paperback now but be warned, I’ve passed it on to my 8 year old who has already requested a Space Oddity playlist. If you want more like Space Oddity you could also try Crater Lake by Jennifer Killick. Just don’t fall asleep!
Wat een grappig en mooi verhaal was dit zeg. Met 10 jaar beginnen kinderen zich te schamen voor hun ouders, en ik spreek hierbij uit ervaring. Dit thema zal deze leeftijdsgroep dus zeker aanspreken.
This book is absolutely amazing I really enjoyed reading this I do recommend to people who are interested in space and also interested in adventurous and very unpredictable books.
I’m a huge fan of Christopher Edge. Many of his previous books have had a science theme, from inter-dimensional travel to the laws of the universe. His characters, and the unusual situations they find themselves in, stick with you. Christopher’s latest book, Space Oddity, has all the things I love about his stories, with a good dash of humour mixed in.
Jake is always being embarrassed by his dad. Whether he is breakdancing at the school disco or making a surprise appearance as a rubbish Darth Vader at his school production, Jake’s dad just can’t seem to stop doing silly things. When Jake’s dad tells him that the two of them are going away for the weekend to spend some quality time together, Jake can’t think of anything worse. His dad takes him to a Dads and Kids Weekend Adventure, where they will spend the weekend doing fun activities together. However, when his dad embarrasses him in front of the whole camp, Jake is ready to pack it in and go home. Then, his dad tells him who he really is – an alien who crashed to Earth twelve years ago. Thanks to a special device, Jake’s dad has been able to disguise himself as a human and blend in. But, when Jake fiddles with the device, he inadvertently signals the Cosmic Authority. They appear out of nowhere and abduct his dad, taking him back to his home planet. Jake’s dad may be super embarrassing but he is still his dad, and Jake will do anything to get him back.
Space Oddity is an intergalactic adventure with a whole lot of heart and humour. There is something in this story for everyone, from stinky aliens and killer robots, to alien technology and a giant out-of-control Lego spaceship. It’s a story about family and the lengths that we would go to for the ones we love, even if they are super embarrassing. It’s part science fiction, part adventure, but there are also plenty of laughs. I especially loved the range of ways that Jake’s dad has embarrassed him in the past. It’s a slightly younger story than most of Christopher’s other books, but a great way to hook kids into this amazing author.
Jake is a really relatable character, whose voice I loved. Most readers will have a family member who can be embarrassing, so they’ll understand how Jake feels. Jake’s dad hasn’t been able to explain why he gets things so wrong, and when he tells Jake the truth, Jake has trouble believing it. Jake does actually love his dad though, and he can’t bear to think about losing him forever. Jake puts his own life in danger in order to try and save his dad.
The fantastic Ben Mantle has created the cover illustration and illustrations throughout the story. Whenever I see one of his covers I always pick it up, and his cover for Space Oddity is spectacular. The cover designer, Steve Wells, has added some nice touches, with the raised title and the shiny, textured bits on the spaceship.
Space Oddity would be a brilliant read aloud or class set for Years 4-6. It’s funny and action-packed, so it will engage everyone.
Space Oddity is a chapter book aimed at kids, written by Christopher Edge, and illustrated by Ben Mantle. The story begins twelve years ago, with an alien crash landing on Earth. Ion is an alien that looks human, though he is green. In the current day period, the story is told from the perspective of Jake, and it turns out that Ion is his father. However, Jake is kind of embarrassed by his dad. So, he ends up being taken on a camping trip by his dad, where they do all sorts of fun activities. And, slowly, he begins to find out that his dad is an alien and that he himself has inherited a few alien traits, too.
My first thought about the book is that it’s kind of bland. It kind of felt as if the author was trying to make the story humorous, with the way the dad was acting, but I just didn’t find it funny. It feels kind of stereotypical for the genre; that the Earthlings need to prove to the aliens that humans are a worthwhile race to keep in the galaxy.
I personally didn’t enjoy the characters much. Though I feel like a lot of their behaviour is something readers can relate to. Such as with the dad, Ion. He tries so hard to get Jake to like him and even goes out of his way to spend time with him. Though, unfortunately, a lot of his behaviour is something that doesn’t turn out the way he wants it to. Subsequently, Jake finds him to be completely embarrassing, and he has been humiliated by his classmates for having a father like Ion. I feel like many readers can relate to these types of characters because so many people try really hard to seem cool to others, yet don’t quite hit the mark. And with the Jake character, I’m sure people can relate because a lot of readers think their parent(s) are embarrassing and that their parent(s) don’t really understand them or their needs. Especially if there’s bullying from others.
The illustrations are something that drew me into the story a lot. There are a bunch of great scenes. I loved seeing the one with the variety of aliens, near the back of the book. I think the artist is really good at drawing people; especially the expressions of the people, as well as the poses. It was great to see the characters and seeing the interacting with each other.
Overall, I think it’s an okay story. Personally, I just felt it was a bit stereotypical. But I’m sure others will enjoy the book more than I did, and I can see that there are many aspects of the characters that readers can relate to. And the illustrations are simply brilliant.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
More well considered science (fiction)… with a Bowie link.
This takes the 'embarrassing parent' trope to the extreme. Jake's dad is SOOOOOOO embarrassing - he says the wrong thing, does the wrong thing, doesn't seem to 'get it', even turns green from an allergy to broccoli... but maybe there's a very good reason for all of this.
Jake is at that pre-adolescent stage where EVERYONE finds their parents suddenly mortifying, so we can completely empathise with the boy whose dad takes over Jake's events. Can they even find their way back to some equilibrium and mutual respect on a parent-child camping trip?
Well... possibly not if the spaceships and robots appearing have anything to do with it.
Edge has brought us clever science before, family stories set in realistic scientific propositions. I fancied this one based on past experiences, and thoroughly enjoyed the mix of father-son bonding (or not) with science fiction adventure.
This made a great audio listen in the car, Jake giving us his young perspective on his dad, his life, and the imminent alien invasion he suddenly finds himself a key part of. And of course, as a parent to two boys myself, I definitely sympathised with his Dad!
Jake thinks his dad is very embarrassing. At first he thinks it's just because parents are embarrassing (they are aren't they?) but when he goes on a camping trip with his dad for some father/son bonding some very strange, out of this world behaviour occurs.
I think every kid (and adult) thinks their parents are just odd and maybe are taken over by aliens. I definitely have thought this A LOT. But Jake's dad is an alien! Now he doesn't look like one. He has a great disguise on but he's an alien that came to Earth by accident because he heard a David Bowie song, which is called Space Oddity! But when the aliens come back for him, Jake has to find a way to rescue his dad. First Jake has to accept that there are aliens in the first place.
I haven't read middle-grade for a while now so it was so nice to dive back into it. This book was so funny and I think loads of kids will love this, especially the farting aliens. I really love how Jake is just so cringed out by his dad and his oddness but literally leaves Earth to go and find him. Would be fun to get a part 2 where everyone can see the music loving aliens.
It’s normal for one to be embarrassed by their parents but Jakes dad takes it to a whole new level. The latest in a string of humiliations is when he takes to the stage and tries to join in the gymnastics display of the schools space themed concert. Fed up, Jake wants nothing to do with him anymore but finds himself talked into going to a space themed adventure camp so the two can bond. When his dad shares he’s an alien, Jakes sure it’s just another lame joke until actual aliens try to abduct them...
Right from the start, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The space concert was a perfect way to start off the story and keep the theme strong after the prologue. There was lots of humour from strange outfits, music mistaken for a distress signal, chlorophyll allergies, and more. There were also tender little moments packed in as Jake comes to realize his dad might not be the worst after all. I loved how everything came together to create such a perfectly spacey treat.
Space Oddity is a fun quick read that is sure to delight anyone who’s ever looked up at the stars or wished they weren’t related to an embarrassing parent.
I write this whilst listening to Space Oddity by David Bowie; a significant song interwoven into the plot of this story for a young audience.
Inspired by Escape room that was recently read to my class, I was eager to try other works by Christopher Edge and was able to imagine the giggles and buzz that would erupt from our fantasy sci fi enthusiasts should I read this to them also.
A story that inspires children to appreciate the relationships surrounding them and that sometimes weird, embarrassing and different can be an out of this world experience.
Whoa!! It was amazing. But i think that it is kind of a book for 9 or 10 years. But it was really good. It showed many emotions that happens in real life and also irt showed a very important thing that is REALITY. even though i thought aliens does not exist it made me think like wht if aliens are real ?. The book made me go into it. It made me feel the adventure and all the emotions. This book is so good. I recommend this to all the children who thinks that their dad are embarrassing. It made me understand that our parents would never ever embarrass intentionally.
David Bowie's been one of my favorite musicians since my uncle introduced me to him when I was a teenager! So I was sooooooooo excited when I heard about this author writing a book inspired by one of Bowie's songs, Space Oddity. Absolutely extremely well done. I had chills at the end (make sure you play the song in the background while you read the last chapter). Edge brought this song to life in a whole new way, and reminds us that "we are not alone" in this huge giant glorious universe.
Another fantastic book from Christopher Edge tying in with STEAM. Twelve year old Jake is continually embarrassed by his dad who never seems to do quite the right thing. But little does he know that he's really an alien who shouldn't have landed on Earth and the Cosmic Authority are now looking to exterminate him for breaking the rules.
A rather funny adventure story with some great illustrations by Ben Mantle and a nod to David Bowie. Perfect for middle grade readers.
Another fantastic book from Christopher Edge. He is a really talented author- carefully balancing plots and stories which keep children engaged, with language and writing which teaches them new things. I know that this will really excite a lot of kids from my class!
We are not alone. And we are good ordinary/extraordinary people. And we love the cosmic awesomeness of David Bowie too. Great messages driving this fun and heart-warming adventure to infinity and beyond.
not my favorite by this author, but then it was someone else's idea (a contest winner, i think? something like that) that edge turned into a book. it was still a fun, quick read! and the more i think about why that alien came to earth in the first place, the more likely it seems lol 3.5 stars = )
I do not think that writing a story based on someone else’s idea is ideal. As for squeezing in Bowie? How are 8 year olds going to relate? I love the cover.